Mattel has launched an initiative to prove to millennial parents that Barbie is a progressive icon that has moved beyond gender stereotypes. The brand has used its social media accounts to promote the marriage equality movement, body positivity and religious and ethnic diversity.

Pinterest has revealed that marketers will be able to access a self-serve insights tool starting early next year, which will be powered by the platform's Taste Graph. The company has also released its predictions of 2018's top trends, including a surge in Pins related to food and drink and a rise in style-related Pins.

Twitter is rolling out a new feature called "threads," which lets users easily share connected series of tweets, which are called tweetstorms. The feature can be accessed via the "+" button on the compose screen, and it has a limit of 25 tweets.

Facebook has rolled out its AR Studio to all creators, including its "World Effects" feature, which is similar to Snapchat's World Lenses. "We want artists, developers, brands and more creators to be able to build and share amazing AR experiences," Facebook's Ficus Kirkpatrick wrote.

2017 marked a change in the way tech companies present their mission, as many businesses acknowledged their cultural influence, prompting a discussion on tech companies' responsibility for users' malfeasance. In addition, tech firm employees may drive a positive shift in industry culture, writes Farhad Manjoo.

US officials warn that more cyberattacks are on the horizon and that the 2018 midterm elections will likely be targeted. They predict that the attacks will be more sophisticated and far-flung than the attacks that reportedly occurred during the 2016 presidential election.

Professionals should seek input from managers on skills they might need in order to advance their careers next year, writes Martin Yate. Make sure to take advantage of the advice you receive, and check in informally every few months to give updates on your progress.

Pushing back on ideas is important, but do so with grace and for the right reasons, writes Jane Perdue. "Present your thoughts less in terms of how they benefit you and more in terms of how they benefit the team, organization, community, etc.," she writes.